Hawkes Bay, one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand, with a delightful mediterranean climate, is utterly unique for its wine, its Art Deco cities and one of the world's largest accessible mainland colonies of gannets, stunning for both their colour and death-defying dives into the sea. Visit www.hawkesbaynz.com
Keep an eye out for gannets as you play golf. The new course at Cape Kidnappers is not only one of New Zealand's best (some say it's now the best) it's also one of the best in the world, according to Golf Digest's World Top 50 rankings.
The American designer of Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Tom Doak, who is also well known for his prize-winning courses in the US, has said that, 'If Cape Kidnappers were a book it would be an epic. Enjoy your game and enjoy the setting [because] you may never play golf somewhere like this again'
Golf Course
Like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers plays above the ocean, atop dramatic cliffs. But unlike Kauri Cliffs, where the shape of the land dictates play along the shoreline, this course runs to and from the edge. Cape Kidnappers is built on a ridge-and-valley landscape with spectacular sea views.
The par-3 sixth, for example, is 206 metres long from the back tee. If you pull your tee shot way left, forget it. If you pull your tee shot only slightly left you have a good chance of ending up in one of four bunkers. Better to push it right where there are only two bunkers. It takes only one sand trap to slow you down, but, that said, the sixth hole at Cape Kidnappers is one of the great golf holes of the world. Its location, design, and degree of difficulty make it so.
From the back tees Cape Kidnappers is a par-71, 6400 metre long drive contest. Playing the back tees is advised only for players with single-figure handicaps who are also long and straight off the tee. If that's not you, save yourself a fight and play from one of the other four tee boxes, as this is one of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in New Zealand, no matter what tees you play from.
The par-5 15th is a 585-metre shoestring straight out to the cliff face. Because the course is designed with the prevailing winds taken into account, it's not so much a sea breeze that factors into your approach here as it is being long and straight and staying away from a 120-metre drop on the left.
The Director of Golf says, 'Cape Kidnappers is a subtle design on a dramatic sight that justifies the effort to get here. The fairways are generous, though they look smaller than they really are because the scale of the property is enormous. But the bunkers are severe and the greens complex.'
Accommodation
Cape Kidnappers course owner Julian Robertson plans to open The Farm, a five star lodge on the property. On the exterior, it will resemble a cluster of farm buildings. Comfort and ease are at a premium with each room taking on a character of its own reminiscent of the rural feeling of the New Zealand sheep station and wine country.
There are plenty of onsite activities as well as golf. Try hiking, a farm tour, visit the gannet colony or the full service luxury spa and fitness centre. The outdoor pool is heated and complemented with jacuzzi/spa and pool cabana.
To taste an excellent North Island pinot noir stop in at Dry River Winery in Martinborough on the way!
Green fees
$400 1 October - 30 April 30, New Zealand residents $225, $300, 1 May - 30 September 30, New Zealand residents $180; carts $35, trundlers $10; clubs $75; caddies: $75 single, $125 double.
Cape Kidnappers is located at Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay - near the town of Clive, South of Napier on State Highway 2
Ph:
+64 6 875 1900
Fax: +64 6 875 1901
Email:
proshop@capekidnappers.com Web:
www.capekidnappers.com
